India’s agri exports grown over 21%, USDA

India’s agriculture exports have grown at the rate of over 21% in the last decade according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report.

As per a report by US Department of Agriculture (USDA), India’s agri exports have grown at a rate of over 21% in the last decade (2003-2013) helped by government support and a changing export matrix.

India’s rapid growth overshadows the growth rate of 15% recorded by Brazil, 12% by China and 9% by USA in the sector in the last ten years. Last year, India overtook Australia to become the world’s seventh largest exporter of agricultural products (up from the 13th position in 2003), and in terms of net exports, India is now the world’s sixth-largest net exporter of agricultural products, with net exports almost double those of the EU-28.

Overall, India agricultural exports have grown almost eight times in the last decade, from around $5 billion in 2003 to over $39 billion in 2013, and the momentum is likely to continue this year.

As per one of the author of the report, the drastic change occurred due to government support. Levin Flake, Agricultural Economist (Trade), Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA, says, “One of the drivers behind India’s export growth has been the dramatic growth in government support provided to agriculture, particular for wheat and rice (the Minimum Support Prices for the two commodities have by 40% and 75% respectively over the past six years).” This helps improve production and keep prices competitive.

Flake adds that Indian government’s total support for agriculture has grown from $68 billion in 2009-10 to $85 billion in 2013-14 and is likely to reach a record high in 2014-15. This has helped India become an important player in the global market, especially for rice, cotton, sugar, and beef (buffalo meat). India is now the world’s second largest cotton exporter (after USA), the second largest exporter of beef in the world (after Brazil), and the largest exporter of rice.

However, India’s agricultural products export matrix has also changed significantly, tilting more and more towards developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) which now account for around 80% of India’s agricultural exports.

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